Giving hope to street, urban poor kids

Isko, Louie and PJ are three young survivors of the streets and countless days of begging or scavenging. But with prayers, hard work and determination, they somehow saw the importance of pursuing a good education. They joined the Street Education Program (SEP) of Childhope Philippines Foundation Inc. (formerly Childhope Asia Philippines).

By attending alternative education sessions, they not only acquired reading, writing and other skills but also learned about children’s rights, good values, spirituality, hygiene, and the importance of family, friendship, and dreams. SEP equipped them with life skills to overcome challenges; slowly developed their talents, confidence and self-worth; and helped them carve out a better future for themselves.

All three are now giving back in their own ways through Childhope. Isko is  a street educator. Louie is the mobile music school coordinator. PJ moved on from street education after college to life at sea as a machinist.

Giving back through volunteer work

Upon retiring from the World Health Organization, I joined my husband Carlito, who was with the International Atomic Energy Agency, in Vienna, Austria. While there, I did volunteer work to support Filipino children in vulnerable situations through Childhope.

Organized in 1989 by Tessie Silva, my supervisor at the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP), Childhope promoted the welfare of street children in Metro Manila by helping them directly on the streets.

In 2002, I introduced Childhope in Vienna in an evening of Filipino culture, highlighted by an auction of paintings donated by some Filipino artists, including Manny Baldemor and Romulo Olazo. I collaborated with the late Eva Valenzuela and her husband Wolfgang Pozsogar, an Austrian journalist, as well as with Filipinos working in the United Nations.

All proceeds from the fundraiser were immediately transmitted to Childhope for the benefit of the street children in SEP. Filipinos working in the United Nations, Filipino associations and the Vienna English Speaking Catholic Community also pledged to fund the formal schooling of street and urban poor children through Childhope’s Educational Assistance Program (EAP).

Social workers selected and monitored the children we supported from grade school through college. From 10 children funded in 2002, the number peaked to 32 in 2013. Some students dropped out due to changes in family financial situation, pregnancy among girl students, poor grades, and relocation. By 2012, our support had focused on high school and college students who required greater financial assistance. In 2014-2015, out of 22 students, four were in high school, 16 in college.

The social workers submitted annual reports on the children’s academic performance, community participation and home life. Along with a detailed financial report, these were shared with the benefactors. Out of more than a hundred we supported, many completed high school; about 25 graduated from college, with one half becoming social workers giving back to their communities and families.

There were financial and material donations from the Wives of ASEAN Ambassadors and the Lion’s Club. From the UN came computers and printers while a pharmaceutical company donated medicine. Funds were also raised through UN crafts sales, project funding by the UN Women’s Guild and international tours. My children and their companies, ALGAR Information Systems and Bloodworks Lab, gave their support as did relatives in the United States.

A brief 2013 mobilization ensured Childhope’s continuing registration in the fund-raising marathon of GlobalGiving. All funds raised were transmitted to Childhope/Manila, once a year. Tax-deductible receipts were issued to donors.

To date, we continue our partnership with Childhope, assisting deserving children to enjoy their right to formal education from secondary to college level, with about $100,000 having been remitted.

More and continuing support is vital

About a quarter million street children live in major cities of the Philippines; up to a third are in Metro Manila alone. Most are boys aged 7 to 16 years old; a third are girls. The need to support these children is increasing much faster than we can mobilize resources. We must share and pool resources, no matter how small, to enable them to become self-helping and responsible citizens who will in turn help their families and fellowmen.

Opportunities abound to sustain SEP and EAP through financial or in-kind donations as well as by volunteering talents and skills. Now, more than ever, is the time to be part of a meaningful program to transform the lives of street and urban poor children so they may realize their dreams of success and a life filled with hope and inspiration. – Isabel Aleta, Member, The Outstanding Women in the Nation’s Service Foundation Inc.